Istanbul

Opened in late 2007, Santralistanbul is a former power station that has been converted into a five-floor museum-cum-modern art gallery space. Most folks in the know simply refer to this museum as Turkey's Tate Modern. Sure the Istanbul Modern and the Sakip Sabanci receive all the attention in town, but if you are traveling with kids to Istanbul this place should be on your Top Ten without a doubt.

Fun factor for the kids: The Museum of Energy that's located in the basement. Monumental structures of cast iron built by companies such as Siemens and AEG are fully on display. Kids can play around in the control rooms that years ago controlled the entire city's power supply. In addition there are 22 interactive scientific displays that can keep the kids entertained. Parent note: The museum is very, very difficult to find. Be sure to hop on the free shuttle bus that runs every 20 minutes from the Atatürk Kültür Merkezi on Taksim Square.

EATS: One the best kid-friendly cafes in town happens to sit 500 ft from the museum. Outdoor playground. Be sure to plan the day accordingly. Note: The museum sits 500 ft from one of the city's top outdoor concert venues.